How Does God Think We Are Doing?

Today, in Mercy, the readings from Jeremiah and Matthew squarely place the reality of sin in our sight. Nobody likes to talk about sin, at least if they’re normal. We like to talk about fun, success, winning, freedom, prosperity. But when the distortion of these things get in the way of our relationship with God and neighbor, then we’re talking about sin.

How do you feel about our world today? The small area of my world is abundantly blessed and happy, as I hope yours is. The inhabitants of Jeremiah’s world felt the same way — until the devastation touched them! Then they realized that their “comfortable “ world was woefully out of line with God’s hope.

They had been blind to the sin around them, and their – perhaps – unwitting part in it. Ultimately, they were visited with destruction. We might read their plight and say, “Oh well, they worshipped false idols.No wonder God was displeased with them.”

A better read might be:

Are there any false gods in my life? Who or what do I really worship above all things?

Are there false gods in our world? How do I respond to them- in the political arena, in the workplace, in my social sets?

The world is so much bigger than ourliving rooms or offices. And we are called to be faithful witnesses to God in that bigger world. How are we doing? Today, Jeremiah and Jesus offer us an examination of conscience.

Today is also the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola.This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

Beautiful, Renee! Thank you! Happy Feast of St. Ignatius. He is an important figure in my family. Both of my daughters, sons-in-law and I are products of a Jesuit Education. The charism is so close to Mercy. “A person for others” ❤️🙏